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24 September 2009

Can Omega-3's Affect Your Heart and Mind?

Omega-3 fats can be good for your mind as well as your body.

Researchers have shown that depressed patients have, on average, lower levels of omega-3 in their blood than nondepressed individuals. A greater severity of depression is also linked to lower levels of omega-3. A number of well-controlled depression treatment studies have found therapeutic benefits following omega-3 supplementation.

Epidemiological studies have demonstrated an inverse relationships between fish consumption and prevalence of major depression: the more fish eaten, the lower the levels of serious clinical depression. Fish oil is a source of two key omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA).

In another study, a combination of omega-3 fatty acids and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) was found to decrease blood pressure and heart rate in kidney disease patients.

People with chronic kidney disease (CKD), which increases the risk of heart disease, experienced improvements in both blood pressure and heart rate following supplementation with four grams of omega-3 fats. Furthermore, when the omega 3’s were taken in combination with coenzyme Q10, the blood pressure reducing benefits were enhanced.

CKD is linked to increased prevalence in all-cause mortality, cardiovascular events and hospitalization.